BIO-key

BIO-key Products

Overview | VST | WEB-key | BSP | True User ID | SSO | Supported Devices

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

There is no doubt that fingerprint biometrics is an interesting technology that sparks plenty of questions. Here are answers to some of the most common inquiries.

What exactly are Biometrics and how do they work?
General Usability Questions
Answers to Hygiene and Concerns About Germs on Readers
Answers to Security Concerns and Biometrics
How do I get started using BIO-key's software for my application?

What exactly are Biometrics and how do they work?

Biometrics are simply the physical characteristics of humans. Biometrics can simplify your life, eliminating the need to remember passwords and PINs or even carrying User IDs, tokens and badges ("badges- we don't need no stinking badges")!

Here are just a few of the applications that biometrics are being used today to provide a more convenient, secure method to establish someone's identity;

Enterprise network security infrastructures,
Secure on-line electronic banking, investing and other financial transactions,
Retail sales,
Law enforcement,
Schools- for lunch programs, attendance, nurse's office, library,
Homeland Security- airports and border applications, and
Health and social services

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General Usability Questions

Biometric-based authentication is replacing less secure, less convenient forms (such as passwords, PINs and ID cards that can be easily replicated or "compromised") for workstation, network, and domain access, single sign-on, application logon, building access, remote access to information and resources, financial transactions and Web based security systems. Utilized alone or integrated with other technologies such as smart cards, encryption keys and digital signatures, the value BIO-key's biometric solutions bring in the form of increased convenience and security are being recognize by security experts and the average consumer alike.

Are there any health concerns with the use of biometrics?
No. Biometric identification and verification systems have been in use for over 30 years, with no reported adverse health issues. Biometric identification and verification methods are non-invasive and pose no health risks

How many different types o fingerprint readers are there?
From the users' perspective, there are two types of readers; slap and swipe.
A slap type reader takes a two dimensional image of the finger when the user positions his finger on the reader platen. As with having your picture taken, this requires you to keep your finger stationary for a short period of time as the image is taken.
A swipe sensor is a one dimensional reader (similar to a line scanner used in a fax machine), that constructs the two dimensional image of your finger as you pass it over the sensor. Typically, they take a little more "education" on using the sensor, but on average this type of reader is less expensive and takes less area or "real estate" as compared to a slap sensor.

Is Big Brother watching what I do?
This is a common misconception of biometric implementations, that your fingerprint is being forwarded to "Big Brother". Biometrics are simply a more private, more secure, and more convenient way for you to identify yourself to your bank, a web portal you are entering, a building you are accessing, or any of a wide variety of applications that you could enter in your daily routine that require you to establish your identity. They simply replace less secure (and more easily compromised) ID cards and PINs. Best yet, you are not required to remember (or constantly change) password or PIN numbers or carry an ID card to access the application- just touch the reader to establish your identity

How does a BIO-key biometric security solution address identity theft?
BIO-key's biometric solutions are more secure than traditional forms of identity alternatives such as Passwords, ID cards, and PINs. Unlike these less secure, easily counterfeited alternatives, it's virtually impossible for anyone to steal your identity when accessing a biometrically secure system without your biometric finger data. A compromised password or PIN or lost credit card, drivers license or checkbook does not offer that security. Your BIO-key biometric data is encrypted and secured in multiple layers to further ensure the safety of your identity.

How about germs and hygiene concerns from touching a fingerprint reader?
Some people have hygiene concerns about placing their finger on the reader. There is no greater health risk involved in using the fingerprint reader than there would be in using a doorknob, keyboard or a PIN pad that has been touched by other people, handling money, or shaking hands. Fingerprint readers can be easily cleaned with glass cleaner and a soft cloth.

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Answers to Hygiene and Concerns About Germs on Readers
If the fingerprint-smudged glass plates on biometric devices skeeve you out, Purdue University researchers have some good news for you: the devices aren’t any germier than typical doorknobs. Christine Biomeke, a researcher and doctoral student at Purdue's Biometric Standards, Performance and Assurance Laboratory , announced the lab performed a study on this issue in light of concerns by those involved in fingerprint and hand-geometry studies at Purdue's lab. "What we can take away from this is that no matter what kind of a surface it is, if it is contaminated, the more it is touched, the cleaner the surface becomes," Blomeke said. Click on this link for the full story: Dirty Truth About Biometrics

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Answers to Security Concerns and Biometrics

How Does BIO-key protect my privacy and my fingerprint information? Does BIO-key capture and store my fingerprints?
Storing the fingerprint images is not necessary. Our software offers is the ability to destroy the original fingerprint image during the enrollment process, after it is converted into the unique mathematical template, a binary rendition based on the unique curves of an individual's fingerprint. It is this mathematical template that is used to authenticate the user, and it does not look anything like the original fingerprint image.

Additionally BIO-key has been granted a patent to protect the intellectual property BIO-key developed to distinguish between enrollment and authentication templates. The enrollment template is created when a user first registers a finger. When the user later touches a fingerprint reader to authenticate his identity, a new "authentication" template, (distinctly different from the enrollment template) can be generated and compared to the 'enrollment' template. If there is a match, the authentication is successful. These templates will not be interchangeable.

I know that BIO-key technology protects personal identity by storing fingerprints as mathematical models, but what if a hacker captures the finger model?
To further protect the information when it is being transmitted, BIO-key employs multi-layer, triple encryption to prevent fraudulent capture of finger data, ensuring that no one can intercept or modify secure information over the Internet or network. The encryption is tied to session and other data to assure that no replays or redirections can occur. This means that security systems using BIO-key technology protect user privacy and provide security at the same time!
And the user's identity is protected even further- because BIO-key authorizes users based only on a mathematical model of their fingerprint, the users need not identify themselves or enter any private information when they are authenticating (a constant concern of anyone entering a PIN number at a grocery store or ATM machine). The mathematical model is meaningful only to the BIO-key software!

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How do I get started using BIO-key's software for my application?

Can BIO-key technology be integrated into existing applications and systems?
BIO-key's open architecture solution is virtually platform independent. It integrates easily into a variety of environments and systems, including both client/server and local applications.

How long does it take BIO-key's algorithm to identify a user?
Our algorithm identifies users in seconds. This makes BIO-key an ideal security solution for companies both large and small. Verification solutions can often operate much faster, given near immediate results.

Does BIO-key technology work with a specific brand or model of finger reader?
No, BIO-key technology can work with many different fingerprint reading devices from multiple manufactures. The enrollment templates created are device independent, offer complete interoperability. To view the most current list of reader devices we support, visit: supported readers

Are there any interesting and unusual applications of this technology?
Absolutely! BIO-key's business partners integrate our security software into a wide array of vertical solutions including financial, healthcare, government, and education applications for access to facilities and information. For a list of our partners visit: BIO-key Partners

The possibilities for future application of BIO-key technology are endless--voter registration, computerized voting, and to replace ID cards used for drivers licenses, credit cards, entry cards and smart cards, and those ever annoying, easy to misplace or forget tokens and passwords!

Can the average person understand BIO-key technology, and can it be installed in a small business?
The BIO-key technology is user friendly and can be effective business environments of any size. In fact, our WEB-key® Software Developers Kit (SDK) provides the tools that simplifies the installation and use of finger identification for users and application providers alike: